Eco-Friendly + Healthy Easter Basket Ideas for Kids (Non Plastic Toys)

Plastic eggs, plastic toys, and plastic grass… oh my! It is that time of year again. Easter can be full of waste and trash. But if you’re reading this, maybe you’re looking for a change. You want new Easter ideas that are good for your family and the environment.  

The good news? A more sustainable Easter doesn’t mean missing out on fun—it actually makes the holiday more meaningful! Plus, some of these swaps are budget-friendly too. When we buy sustainable items, we tend to choose quality over quantity, which means toys last longer, don’t break after one play session, and we avoid overbuying. And friend, when we become more intentional about what we give our kids, they learn to love and appreciate their gifts even more.  

How to Find Eco-Friendly Easter Basket Items

When deciding what to put in your kids’ baskets, think about the 5 R’s: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle—in that order!  

• Refuse – Do we actually *need* it? Why are we buying this? Is it good for our health and the environment (think plastics and single-use items)?  
• Reduce – Can we use less? What’s the *minimum* amount we need?  
• Reuse – Do we already own something that works? For example, swap disposable plastic bags for beeswax wraps or use a glass jar instead of plastic.  
• Repurpose – Can we get creative? Instead of fake plastic grass, use a play silk or shredded paper.  
• Recycle – As a last resort, recycle what you can! Many places (even Target) now accept textiles, batteries, and electronics.  

Eco-Friendly & Healthy Easter Basket Ideas

Skip the Plastic & Go for Lasting, Natural Toys

Stores fill their shelves with plastic eggs, little plastic toys, and disposable candy wrappers—all things that end up in the trash (or under your foot in the middle of the night). Instead, try these sustainable swaps:  

Wooden Toys – Durable, beautiful, and safe for little kids. Some favorites:  

•   Grimm’s Rainbow 
•   Wobble boards
•   Wooden trains & cars 
•   Pickler ladders & climbing toys
•   Farm animals & play kitchens
•   Classic wooden blocks  
•   Handmade toys from Etsy (support small businesses!)  
•   Bella Luna Toys & Coco Village have some of the items listed below and other great options too.  

Reusable Easter Baskets  

Instead of a flimsy plastic basket that gets tossed, invest in something that lasts!  

• Bolga Baskets – Sturdy, beautiful, and perfect for playtime all year. We’ve had ours since 2017 and they’re still going strong! The girls love to gather fun things like duck feathers, rocks, or flowers in them too.
• Woven Baskets – Check thrift stores or small shops for unique, reusable finds.  
• Metal Pails or Wooden Crates – Fun alternatives that can double as toy storage later.

Ditch the Plastic Grass 

That fake, plastic Easter grass is a nightmare—it gets *everywhere* and pollutes waterways! Instead, try:  

• DIY Play Silks – We dyed our own using kool-aid, and they’ve been a favorite ever since (who says Easter grass has to be green?!).  
• Shredded Newspaper or Kraft Paper – A simple, free alternative.  
• Fabric Scraps or Yarn – Repurpose old fabric for a fun, colorful filler.  

Kid-Sized Tools for Play & Learning

Instead of cheap plastic trinkets, why not give kids tools they can actually use?   

Healthier Treats for Easter Baskets

Easter doesn’t have to mean sugar overload! You can still include delicious treats without all the artificial junk.

Better Easter Sweets  

• Homemade Honey Marshmallows – Ditch the marshmallow peeps and make your own! You could use this DIY marshmallow recipe and use fun Easter bunny molds or small cookie cutters to make them a fun shape.
• Homemade Snacks – Try date balls, black bean brownies, or dehydrated fruit.
• Fresh Fruit – Kids love clementines, apples, or freeze-dried berries. 
• Beef Jerky – A protein-packed snack that’s always a hit!  
• Organic or Fair-Trade Chocolate Bunnies – If you do include chocolate, choose organic dark chocolate or fair-trade brands with simple ingredients.  

Easter Egg Hunt—Without the Plastic!

We all love a good Easter egg hunt, but those flimsy plastic eggs? Not so much. Instead of plastic Easter eggs, try: 

• Wooden Eggs – Paint them together for a fun craft!  
• Paper Mâché Eggs – These are biodegradable and can be used year after year. 
• Real Eggs – Naturally dye them using onion skins, turmeric, or beets (check out my how-to guide here!).  

We still have some of our paper mâché eggs from past years, and even when they break, they don’t leave sharp pieces like real eggshells would—making them a safer, mess-free option!  

Creating a Meaningful, Sustainable Easter 

At the end of the day, Easter isn’t about plastic junk and sugar highs—it’s about celebrating new life, Jesus’s resurrection, and family traditions. By choosing healthy, eco-friendly Easter basket ideas, you’re not only cutting down on waste but also teaching your kids to appreciate thoughtful, lasting gifts.  

What are your favorite non-toxic, sustainable Easter traditions? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear!  

Happy Resurrection Day, friends!

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